Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese embassies in foreign countries have held remembrance ceremonies for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who breathed his last on July 19.
At the ceremony on July 25, the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representative offices in Argentina observed a minute’s silence for the late leader.
Writing in the condolence book, Ambassador Ngo Minh Nguyet praised General Secretary Trong as an excellent leader who left many imprints helping advance Vietnam’s diplomacy, saying he made very important contributions in terms of ideology and theory, and instructed the building and development of the comprehensive, modern diplomatic sector imbued with the characteristics of the “Vietnamese bamboo tree”.
The leader gave due attention and special sentiments to the sector, especially in building a contingent of diplomats who have qualities, mettle, ethics, and qualifications, the ambassador continued.
Recounting the Party chief’s warmth and closeness, Nguyet affirmed that his legacy is extremely valuable to the Party and the nation.
Representatives from Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the embassies of Cuba, Brazil, the US, Indonesia, Thailand, Algeria, the Vatican, Iran and Croatia, the Argentina-Vietnam Culture Institute, the Asian Chamber of Commerce, former Argentine diplomats in Vietnam, and local friends paid homage to the General Secretary at the embassy.
Charge d'affaires of the Cuban Embassy in Argentina Leonardo Baster expressed his deepest sympathy over the passing of the Party chief, a close friend of the Caribbean nation.
Throughout his political career, the General Secretary made relentless efforts to consolidate the relations between the Vietnamese and Cuban people, he wrote in the condolence book, praising the leader’s loyalty and friendship.
A representative from the Vatican also extended the deepest condolences to the Vietnamese people and the bereaved family, and lauded the Party chief’s role in promoting the Vietnam-Holy See relations.
Sharing the sorrow, a representative from the US Embassy wrote the General Secretary “was a champion of deep ties between the US and Vietnam. We will remember his commitments to building future oriented towards peace”.
A Thai diplomat said the Party leader’s legacies will be in the heart and memory of the Vietnamese people. Meanwhile, a representative from the Iranian Embassy expressed hope that Vietnamese people and the bereaved family will overcome the grief and loss to strive for prosperity and development of Vietnam.
At the headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa, Vietnam’s national flag was flown at half-mast, and the condolence book for General Secretary Trong was opened on July 25.
Ambassador Hoang Sy Cuong expressed his deep gratitude to the Party chief for his enormous devotions and contributions to great victories of the nation.
Many foreign diplomatic corps, international delegations, and representatives from South Africa’s agencies paid tribute to the Vietnamese Party leader at the ceremony.
Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, paid floral tribute to the Party chief, and extended condolences to the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the bereaved family, and the Vietnamese people over his death.
General Secretary Trong is a prominent leader who has paved the way and devoted his lifetime to national independence, self-reliance, and diversification and multilateralisation of relations, the message said.
The ANC also honoured the Party chief for his special leadership in fostering the relations between the two Parties and States, and affirmed the importance it will continue attaching to the bilateral ties.
Ambassadors and representatives from Eswatini, Kuwait, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Cuba, Venezuela, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, and local officials also came to the embassy to pay homage to the late Vietnamese leader.
A similar ceremony was also held at the Vietnamese Embassy in Paris on July 25, where Minister Nguyen Van Hung and a delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, representatives from Vietnamese associations in France, diplomatic corps, foreign embassies, paid respects to General Secretary Trong.
Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang said the leader’s passing is a great loss to the Vietnamese Party, State and people, and Vietnamese communities abroad, including France.
Under the Party leadership, headed by the General Secretary, Vietnam’s diplomacy with the characteristics of the “bamboo tree” has seen historical turning points, with improvements in the relations between Vietnam and major partners, the ambassador said.
His instructions over the Vietnam-France relations as well as Vietnam’s foreign affairs have served as the lodestar for activities of diplomats, and officials of Vietnamese representative agencies in France, as well as fundamental guidelines and strategies for Vietnamese and French partners to contribute to deepening the bilateral ties.
Writing in the condolence book, Hung praised the Party chief’s contributions to building Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, and pledged efforts to promote his legacy in culture.
On July 25 afternoon, representatives from foreign embassies and international organisations in France paid tribute to the late leader at the embassy.
In a letter of condolences to President To Lam, French President Emmanuel Macron said the Party chief made great devotions to the Vietnamese people, spared no efforts for Vietnam’s sovereignty, and greatly contributed to national socio-economic development, as well as cooperation between the two countries.
Lao Ambassador to France Kham-Ink Khitchadeth wrote in the condolence book that General Secretary Trong is an eminent leader dedicated to peace, friendship, cooperation and development of people in Vietnam and the world.
The diplomat also highlighted the Party leader’s contributions to fostering the Vietnam-Laos relations, and affirmed that the Lao Party, Government and people always remember efforts and valuable contributions of the late leader to Laos.
Gerard Daviot, former President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (FVFA), told the Vietnam News Agency that he is impressed by the leader’s humanity and enthusiasm, saying he sees the General Secretary’s imprints in pursuing Ho Chi Minh’s career as a lodestar in his work.
The Party chief made various reforms, including those in child education, especially in remote areas, and took strong actions against corruption, Daviot continued.
Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations of UNESCO, also lauded the General Secretary as an outstanding politician and a great personality, who constantly strived for peace, not only for Vietnam but for the whole world, and always supported initiatives of UNESCO.
Matoko expressed his hope that the General Secretary's example will be promoted all over the world.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka Manisha Gumasekera, and the country’s permanent delegation at UNESCO commended the Party leader’s contributions to enhancing the relations between the two countries.
A representative from Russia’s permanent delegation at UNESCO said the leader will be remembered in Russia for his huge contributions to the Vietnam-Russia ties and their international relations, and as an excellent leader. /.
